Dusting machine



R. R. ROOT DUSTING MACHINE July 3, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 3, 1947 INVENTOR.

Jul 3, 1951 R. R. ROOT DUSTING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 5, 1947 INVENTOR.

im /r A? Poor R. R. ROOT DUSTI NG MACHINE July 3, 1951 4 Sheets-Shed 3 Filed Sept. 3, 1947 2 a 5 ,1 q w W M mi mi 6m a g m .i 0 4 W. a 9 4 W423 2 5 R. R. ROOT DUSTING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. :5, 1947 fie, 16

INVENTOR. final/k Rae;-

, 8 Arne/vars Patented July 3, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DUSTING MACHINE Ralph R. Root, Lakewood, Ohio Application September 3, 1947, Serial No. 771,952

- 3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to dusting apparatus for applying insecticide and/or fungicide dust to vegetation and, as one of its objects, aims to provide an improved machine for this purpose.

Numerous machines have been proposed heretofore .for applying dust to vegetation, some of which machines have been manually operable while others have been power operated. The manually operable clusters have usually been of a small size so as to be capable of being manually carried and, hence, are so limited as to their capacity and range of use that they are usually considered as being suitable only for light duty and for dusting low-growing vegetation, as distinguished from fruit trees and the like. Power operated clusters have a much greater capacity anda wider range of use, which makes them suitable for dusting fruit trees as well as ground crops and other low-growing vegetation. However, the successful operation of a power duster, particularly'for treating fruit trees and the like, usually requires a minimum of two operators, one to steef or otherwise control the travel of the machine along the ground, and the other to handle or control the delivery means or nozzle so that the dust stream will be properly directed against the trees. In order to obtain a range of distribution commensurate with the capacity of the power operated mechanism, many power clusters include a boom, or the like, on which one or more nozzles is mounted, but such a boom further renders a duster very cumbersome to control and operate.

As another of its objects, the present invention provides an improved dusting machine which will be relatively inexpensive to manufacture and can be manually handled by a single operator, but which will nevertheless be very efficient and will have a large capacity and wide range of use, en-

abling the same to effectively treat trees, as well as ground crops and other low-growing vegetation.

. A further object is to provide a so-called boomless cluster inwhich a travelling struc- .ture movable along the ground carries dust distributing apparatus embodying a power driven blower and in which the dust delivery nozzle is mounted directly on the blower.

,Still another object of this invention is to provide such a boomless cluster in which the travelling structure is of the wheelbarrow type and is adapted to be manually propelled along the ground during the dusting operation.

Yet another object is to provide an improved dustingapparatus in which the dust hopper and the hopper mounting means are of novel construction and in which a novel agitator means provided in the hopper maintains the dust supply in a loose and free-flowing condition.

As another important object, this invention provides a dusting machine of this character in which dust is fed from the hopper so as to be picked up by, and entrained in, an air intake stream travelling to the blower and which results in a good distribution of the dust particle in the air stream.

This invention also provides a novel construc tion for the hopper of a dusting machine in which a blade series carried by the periphery of a rotary member traverses a dust feeding opening.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel duster in which the agitator is belt driven and novel means is employed for causing tightening of the belt.

Yet another object is to provide an improved dusting machine having a novel form of feed valve for controlling the feeding of dust from the hopper.

The present invention also provides a novel construction for the blower of a dusting machine by which an efiicient mixing of the dust with the air is obtained and by which an air stream of maximum velocity and volume is obtainable for the power expended by the driving means.

This invention also provides a novel form of nozzle which can be mounted directly on the blower, or used in other ways, and which effectively produces a desired spreading or diffusion of the dust-laden air stream.

Still another object is to provide an improved duster in which the delivery nozzle is mounted on a portion of the blower housing which is relatively shiftable for locating the nozzle in a desired location, or on a particular side of the machine.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the following detailed description and in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational View of a dusting machine embodying the present invention, the machine being shown with the blower and dust hopper in vertical section;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view also showing the blower and dust hopper in vertical section but on a larger scale than in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a-vertical section taken through the blower substantially as indicated by section line '3--3 of Fig. 2; I

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken through the lower portion of the dust hopper, the View being taken in the locality indicated by the section line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view taken through the hopper as indicated by line 55 of Fig. 4 with the agitating means omitted;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional detail view showing the cooperation of the ,agitator with the feeding opening and the rounded bottom of the hopper and also showing the valve means controlling the feeding opening;

Fig. '7 is a partial side elevation further illustrating the hopper mounting and the valve means controlling the dust feeding opening;

Fig. .8 is a plan view showing the feed valv member in detached relation;

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the impeller of the blower;

Fig. 10 is an edge view of the impeller;

Fig. 11 is an elevational face view of the agitator in detached relation;

Fig. 12 is an edge view of the agitator;

Fig. 13 is a sectional detail view showing one of the bearings for the agitator shaft;

Fig. 14 is a sectional detail view showing one of the bearings for the countershaft of the agita tor driving means;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary elevational view taken on line I5I5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 16 is an end view of the delivery nozzle for the dust-laden air stream;

Fig. 17 is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken through the nozzle substantially as indicated by line I'II'I of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the use of the duster in treating trees; and

Fig. 19 is a similar diagrammatic view illustrating the use of the duster in treating ground crops or the like.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the improved duster I0 comprises, in general, a travelling carriage I I, a hopper I2 adapted to contain a supply of dust, a blower I3 which is operable to deliver a dustladen air stream and a power device I4 for driving the blower I3' and an agitator I5 contained in the hopper. The carriage II is of the type adapted to be manually propelled and, in this instance, is in the form of a wheelbarrow. The power device I4 can be any suitable device capable of delivering the power needed for driving the blower I3 and the agitator I5 and, in this instance, is shown as being an internal combustion engine. 7

The travelling carriage or wheelbarrow I I may include a frame I! having laterally spaced frame members I'Ia and may be provided with a pair ofdepending legs IB and a pair of rearwardly and upwardly extending handles I9. The wheelbarrow may also include a load-supporting wheel 20' located between the frame members I'Ia and rotatable on an axle shaft 20a to which these frame members are connected. A hollow bracket 2I' extending over the wheel forms a support on'which the engine I4 is mounted. When the engine I4 is mounted on this bracket the concentrated weight represented by the engine is located at a forward point on the wheelbarrow and facilitates the manual manipulation of the wheelbarrow.

The dust hopper I2 comprises an upright container 'I2a which, as here shown, may be cylindrical in cross-sectional shape and is of a size to' hold a suitable supply of dust. An important feature of the hopper I2 is that the container I2a is provided with a depending rounded bottom I2?) having a curvature which correspondssubstahtially with the curvature of a portion of a sphere. The round bottom I2?) is provided with a dust feeding opening 23 which is located substantially on the central vertical axis of the hopper and, in this instance, is in the form of a slot. The open upper end of the hopper I2 can be closed by a suitable cover 24.

Another feature of the invention resides in a novel construction for the agitator, I5. This agitator comprises a wheel-like structure, preferably in the form of a sheet metal disk as shown in the drawing, which is supported for rotation in the hopper I2 by the agitator driving shaft 25. The agitator I5 has a hub portion I5a through which the shaft 25 extends and by which the agitator is mounted on this shaft so as to be driven thereby. In this instance the shaft 25 is square in cross-sectional shape and the driving connection with the agitator is obtained by providing the hub I5a with a shaft-receiving opening I5b of a corresponding shape.

The rim portion of the agitator I5 is provided with a peripherially extending series of blades 25 and 21. These blades can be formed integral with the agitator disk by punching an annular series of openings 28 in the disk adjacent the periphery thereof and which include slot extensions 28a. The openings 28 and the slot extensions 28a. thereof divide the rim portion of the agitator disk into the blade elements 26 and 21 and also define stem portions 260. and 21a. by which the blade elements remain integrally connected with the disk. Alternate blade elements of the series, here designated as the blades 26. are deflected by twisting the stems 260. so that these blades extend in a direction which is inclined to the plane of the disk at an angle of approximately 45. The blade elements 21 are deflected at a similar angle but extend in a direction which is oppositely inclined relative to the plane of the disk so that the pairs of adjacent blades 26 and 21 of the series have a convergent-divergent relationship, as shown in Fig. 12.

The agitator shaft 25 extends laterally through the depending rounded bottom portion I2b of the hopper I2 and is suitably mounted on the wall thereof as by means of the bearings 29 and 30. As shown in Fig. 13, the bearings 29 and 30 may. each comprise a sheet metal sleeve or bearing socket 3I mounted in an opening of the wall of the rounded hopper portion I25 and a group of washers 32 mounted on the shaft 25 and assembled in the recess of the socket 3I.' The washers 32 have square openings therein to accommodate the shaft 25 and rotate with this shaft and form a journal portion thereon. The circular outer edges of the washers are rotatably supported by the bearing socket 3I. The washers 32 can be made of metal, fiber or any other suitable material.

As shown in the drawings, the agitator I5 is located in the lower portion of the hopper I2 so that its bladed rim is in closely spaced relation to the wall of the rounded bottom portion I2b at the position of the dust feeding opening 23,. The agitator is maintained at the desired axial position on the shaft 25 by means of the spacer tubes 33 and 34. It will accordingly be seen that during rotation of the agitator by the shaft 25, the blades 26 and 21 will traverse the dust feeding opening 23 in succession. Because of the angular positionsat which these blades stand, they will push small quantities of the dust across the feeding opening 23 alternately in opposite directions as they traverse this opening in succession. This action of the agitator blades will cause a, substantially constant flow of dust from the feeding opening during the rotation of the agitator. The angularly disposed blades 26 and 21 will also work on the dust supply in the hopper and cause the same to be maintained in a loose and free-flowing condition.

The agitator I5 "preferably also includes a ring member which is mounted on the agitator disk by the fact that opposite portions thereof are engaged .in a substantially diametrically opposed pair 28a-and 28b of the openings 28. The ring member 36 can be constructed as a wire ring or bail which rotates with the agitator and lies substantially in a .plane extending normal to the agitator disk. When the agitator disk is in its assembled position on the shaft 25, the ring 36 is sprung or deflected slightly out of a flat plane by its engagement at diametrically spaced points with the spacer sleeves 33 and 34, as shown in Fig. 4. During the rotation of the agitator, the ring member 36 travels through the dust supply and assists the blades 28 and 21 in maintaining the dust in a loose and free-flowing condition.

The shaft 25 on which the agitator I5 is mounted is driven from a countershaft 31, which extends'transversely through the upper portion of the hopper I2 and is supported by suitable bearings 33 and 39 mounted in the wall of the hopper. The bearings 38 and 39 may be of a construction similar to the bearings 23 and 30, that is to say, they may include groups of the washers 32 which are mounted on the shaft 3"? and rotate therewith. The shaft 33 may be housed in a tube 40 which extends between the bearings 38 and 33 as shown in the drawings. This shaft may be square in cross-section and is of a length such that its ends project outside of the hopper I2 for the mounting of .the pulleys 4| and 42 thereon. The

pulley 42 is operably connected with a pulley 43 mounted on the agitator shaft 25 by means of a belt 44.

The air stream forming the carrier for the dust is produced by the blower I3, which is here shown as a blower of the centrifugal type. The blower I3 comprises a housing 46 and a rotor 41 operable therein. The blower housing 45 comprises a stationary housing section 46a. which may be connected to the frame of the engine I4 as by means of the screws 43 and a housing section 45b which is rotatably adjustable relative to the stationary section 45a. The housing section 46bcarries a tangential outlet projection or tube 49 and is arcuately adjustable relative to the stationary section 4% for locating the outlet projection 49 in a desired position. The movable housing section 4612 is adapted to be held in the desired position of adjustment by means of a clamping band 53 by which this housing section is connected to the stationary housing section 46a. The housing section 4617 is provided with an intake opening 5| in the side wall thereof.

The rotor ll of the blower I3 comprises a hollow shaft 52 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades 53 which are connected with the hollow shaft by the radial arms 54. In this instance, the rotor is provided with only two of the 'blades 53 and a corresponding number of arms 54, but the rotor could be construced so as to carry a larger number of such blades, if desired. The hollow shaft 52 is split longitudinally,

as indicated at 52a, to enable the same to be c0mhousing 46.

pressed into driving engagement with the shaft of the engine I4.

The arms 54 of the rotor 41 are relatively wide, generally flat members and may be of a tapered shape so as to have a maximum width at their inner ends for connection with the hollow shaft 52 and a minimum width at their outer ends on which the blades 53 are mounted. The arms 54 can be constructed as sheet metal stampings and preferably have stiffening flanges 54a extending along their side edges. The inner ends of "the arms are shaped for complemental cooperation with each other in forming a hub 55 which is adapted to compress the hollow shaft against the driving shaft 55 of the engine by meansof the clamping screws 56a.

An important characteristic of the arms 54 is that they are provided with openings 51 between the blades 53 and the hub 56. The openings 51 permit the arms 54 to rotate in the blower housing '46 substantially without resistance from the air contained in the central portion of the housing and without producing a churning of such air which would consume power and accomplish no useful purpose. The openings 5! permit the air in the central portion of the blower housing to pass freely through the arms during the rotation thereof, and this greatly facilitates a free feeding of the air from the intake opening 4I radially outwardly to the blades 53.

The blades 53 of the rotor 41 are also of a novel construction and each of these blades comprises a pair of adjacent or connected transversely curved parallel sections 53a and 53b. The curved shape of the sections 53a and 53b extends for the full axial length of the blade, and the elevated rib portion 530 separating the curved sections also extends for the full axial length Of the blade. The blades 53 are connected with the outer ends of the arms 54 as by means of the screws 58 and, if desired, the tips of the arms may have curved integral portions 54?) thereon which follow the curvature of the backs of the blade sections 53a. The blades 53 are mounted on the rotor so that the concave faces of the blade sections 53a and 53b are on the leading side with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotor. By reason of the blade'construction provided by this invention, the blower I3 operates to deliver a maximum volume of air at a high velocity, in relation to the amount of power required to be sup-plied by the engine I4.

The air stream which enters the blower housing through the intake opening 5| is conducted to this opening by a conduit or duct 63 which conducts the air stream laterally and upwardly to the blower housing. The duct 63 comprises a substantially horizontal portion 30a. which .extends laterally beneath the hopper I2 and a substantially vertical portion 60b which extends upwardly to the intake opening 5| of the blower The conduit portion 60a extends across the dust feeding opening23 so that the air stream in flowing past this opening will effectively-pick-up the dust which is being discharged downwardly from the hopper through this opening.

The dust feeding opening 23 is controlled by novel valve means which includes a dished valve member GI pivotally connected with the curved bottom wall of the hopper I2 by means of the screw 62. The curvature of the valve member BI conforms to the curvature of the rounded bottom I2?) of the hopper so that this valve member will fit tightly thereagainst and will have sliding enwhen the valve member is shifted to the ofiset position Gia shown in Fig. 5. The valve member 6| hasan actuating arm 64 thereon with which the lower end of a suitable lever 65 may be connected. The lever is adapted to be held in different positions corresponding with the desired settings of the valve member by the projections 66a of a bracket 66.

In connection with the feeding opening 23 it should be explained that this opening discharges directly into the air duct 60. As shown in Fig. 2, the top wall of the duct portion 60a has an opening 60c therein which surrounds the feed opening 23 and into which the extreme lower end of the rounded bottom of the hopper snugly engages.

It should also be explained that with the construction above described the air flowing tov the blower I3 through the duct must travel in a substantially vertically upward direction through the duct portion 6%. This is important because it requires all of the dust to be air borne by the air stream before the latter reaches the blower l3 and this will insure an initial good distribution of the dust in the air stream and will substantially eliminate any condition of an irregular charging of theair stream with dust.

Another novel feature of the improved duster I resides in a pivotal mounting provided for the hopper l2. As shown in the drawings, the wheelbarrow I is provided with a pair of upright trunnion brackets 61 and 68 between which the rounded lower portion |2b of the hopper is received. The pivotal mounting includes a pair of trunnion projections or pins 61a and 68a which are mounted in transversely aligned relation on the rounded bottom portion [2b and project outwardly therefrom. The trunnion projections 61a. and 68a pivotally engage in openings or bearing elements provided at the upper ends of the trunnion brackets 61 and 6B.

The trunnion brackets 61 and 68 and the trunnion projections 61a and 68a form a mounting means for the hopper l2 which permits the latter to be pivotally shifted toward or away from the blower housing 46 to thereby vary the spacing of the pulley 4| of the countershaft 31 with respect to a driving pulley 69 whichis connected with the outer end of the hollow shaft 52 of the blower rotor 41. A belt extending around the pulleys 4| and 69 connects the countershaft 31 with the hollow shaft 52 and when the hopper I2 is pivotally shifted away from the blower housing 46, a tightening of the belt on the pulleys 4| and 69 will be produced. For maintaining a desired tension on the belt 70, a spring pressed plunger 7| may be provided to act on the hopper l2, tending to pivotally shift the same in a direction away from the blower housing. The plunger engages the hopper at a point spaced from the axis of the trunnion projections 61a and 68a and, as shown in Fig. 2, may be slidable in a plunger housing 72 which is mounted on air supply duct 63.

One or both of the trunnion brackets 61 and 68 may be of a resilient character so that when one of these brackets is sprung in a direction to increase the spacing therebetween, the corresponding trunnion projection can be disengaged from such one bracket. This will permit the other trunnion projection to be readily disengaged from its bracket, whereupon the hopper 12 can be lifted off the wheelbarrow H and can be inverted to dump unused powder out of the same. When the hopper I2 is to be dismounted from the trunnion brackets 61 and 68, the hopper is first swung toward the blower housing 46 against the action 'of the spring pressed plunger 6| to thereby slacken the belt 10 and permit this belt to be disengaged from the pulley 4|.

When the hopper is to be remounted on the trunnion brackets, one of the trunnion projections is engaged in the opening or bearing of the corresponding bracket and by springing the other trunnion bracket outwardly, the other. trunnion projection can be engaged'in its bearing or opening immediately thereafter. When the belt 10 has been reapplied to the pulley 4|, it will be maintained in a desired tight driving engagement with the pulleys by means of the plunger 1|. Accidental disengagement of the trunnion projections 61a and 680. from the trunnion brackets can be prevented by providing the trunnion projections with traverse holes at their outer ends through which cotter pins 14 extend. If desired, the actuating lever 65 for the control valve member 6| can be pivotally mounted on the trunnion projection 68a, as shown in Fig. 4.

The pulley 69 for driving the agitator mechanism of the hopper |2 can be connected with the hollow shaft 52 of the blower rotor in any suitable manner. In this instance the hollow shaft is shown as having a plug 15 in its outer end to which the pulley is connected by means of the screw 16. The plug 15 can be riveted or otherwise secured in the hollow shaft 52.

The air intake duct 60 can be provided with a clearance opening 11 of a size to permit the passage of pulley 69 therethrough during assembly. Leakage of air through this opening can be substantially prevented by means of a suitable cover 18. If desired, the cover 78 may be formed by two complemental sections adapted to swing on a common pivot 1801., as shown in Fig. 15.

The dust and air mixture is delivered from the blower housing 46 through the tangential outlet member 49 thereof, as mentioned above. In accordance with another feature of the improved duster H) a delivery nozzle 80 is mounted directly on the outlet member 49 and directs the dust-laden air stream toward the desired objective.

The nozzle 80 is of a novel construction and. as shown in Figs. 16 and 1'7, comprises a nozzle body 860/. having a top wall 8| and a pair of depending spaced side walls 82 and 83. A clamping band 84, which is spot welded or otherwise connected to the nozzle body 800. adjacent one end thereof, serves to connect the nozzle with the outlet member 49 of the blower l3. The passage defined by the top and side walls of the nozzle body forms a continuation of the passage of the outlet member 19.

The nozzle 80 also includes a group of spaced diverging blades, in this instance three such blades 85, 86 and 81. These blades extend across the passage of the nozzle and are mounted on the side walls 82 and 83. The ends of the blades can be connected with the side walls by providing the blades with tab-like portions or extensions 85a, 88a and 81a which extend through slots in the side walls and are spot welded, or otherwise connected to such side walls. The blades 85, 86 and 81 of the nozzle 80 are located at varying distances from the end of the outlet member 49 and are disposed in progressively oifset relation so as to deflect or divert corresponding portions of 'vature.

the dust-laden stream being. discharged through the outlet member.

The blades 85, 86' and 8 1: are disposed in outwardly diverging relation and their effectiveness in deflecting portions of the dust-laden stream can be augmented, if desired, by making these blades of a curved shape. The curvatures may be different for the respective blades and in this instance the blade 85, whichis nearest the outlet member 49 of the blower, has'the' maximum curvature and the blade 81, which is the most remote from the outlet member, has the minimum cur- Because of the curvature of the blades and their divergent and progressively offset relationship, these blades will cause an effective spreading of the dust-laden air stream being. discharged through the outlet member 49 and will accomplish this function without materially decreasing the velocity'value' or carrying ability of the stream.

When the nozzle body 89 is quadrangular in cross-section and the outlet member 49 is cylindrical in cross-section, as here shown, corner openings 88 are left between these members through which air can flow to augment the volume of the dust-laden stream being discharged from the outlet member 49;

Figs. 18 and 19 show the relatively rotatable blower housing section 461) in different positions of adjustment for locating the nozzle 89 in positions corresponding with different types of dusting to be accomplished. Fig. 18 shows the blower housing section 4612 adjusted to a position in which the nozzle 80 extends horizontally from the dusting machine 10. This is the position desirable for the nozzle 80 when low-growing vegetation 89, such as string beans or other ground crops, is being treated. Although the nozzle 89 is shown in Fig. 18 as extending generally horizontally from the duster [0, it may be desirable to have the nozzle occupy a position in which it is depressed approximately below the true horizontal plane. When the nozzle occupies this position the dust-laden air stream will be delivered in a generally horizontal direction as a velocity discharge but by reason of the diverting action of the blades 85, 86 and 81, portions of the stream will be deflected downwardly toward the ground at varying distances outwardly from the duster, with the result that the dust-laden air will be made to roll and boil along the ground and produce an effective coating on both the upper and under surfaces of the leaves of the vegetation being treated.

When the dusting operation is to be carried out on fruit trees 90 or the like, as shown in Fig. 19, the lower housing section 46b is arcuately adjusted to a position in which the nozzle 80 is disposed at approximately a 30 elevation relative to the horizontal plane. When the nozzle is in this position, the velocity stream of dust-laden air will be discharged outwardly and upwardly in a spreading relation and will effectively reach substantially all of the leafy part of the trees being treated.

In using the improved duster l0 it will be understood, of course, that a supply of dust is first placed in the hopper l2 and the driving engine I 4 is then started. The operator then shifts the lever 65 to move the valve member 6| to its open position and immediately thereafter grasps the handles IQ of the wheelbarrow l l and propels the cluster in a straight line along the vegetation or trees to be treated. When the end of the row is reached, the operator turns the wheelbarrow H 10 around so as to head in the opposite direction and during the return travel dusts another row or swath of the vegetation. I

In order to take advantage of any prevailing wind condition, it may be desirable to reverse the nozzle from one side of the cluster to the other for such return travel. This is accomplished by rotating the blower housing section 4612 through approximatey so as to shift the outlet member 49 from the full line position to the broken line position shown in Fig. 3. In making this adjustment the nozzle 80 is rotated on the outlet member 49 through an angular distance of approximately 180 so that the diverging blades 85, 86 and 81 of the nozzle willv always be on the lower side thereof. The rotation of the nozzle on the outlet member 49 is permitted by the loosening of the screw of the clamping band 84.

From the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings it will now be readily understood that this invention provides an improved dusting machine which can be economically manufactured and can be manually propelled and controlled by a single operator. It will also be seen that since the improved duster does not embody a boom, hollow handle or the like, for supporting and manipulating the delivery nozzle, the duster can be conveniently operated in small spaces and is not likely to involve collisions with trees, fences and the like. Moreover, it will be seen that the improved duster embodies a novel form of agitator and agitator driving means by which the dust supply will be effectively maintained in a loose and free-flowing condition and which will facilitate and insure the proper feeding of the dust from the discharge opening of the hopper. It will also be seen that by reason of the novel construction provided for the blower and the delivery nozzle a large volume, high velocity dust delivery will be obtained and the dust stream will effectively reach and treat a row of fruit trees or a large swath of ground crops.

Although the improved duster and its construction and manner of operation have been illustrated and described herein to a detailed extent, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not to be regarded as limited correspondingly in scope, but includes all changes and modifications coming within the terms of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a dusting machine, a support, a hopper adapted to contain a supply of dust, a blower mounted on said support adjacent said hopper and having an intake opening and a discharge means for discharging a dust and air mixture, means defining an air intake conduit leading to said intake opening, rotary driving means mounted on said support and operably connected with said blower for driving the same, means for feeding dust from said hopper to said intake conduit including a rotary member adapted to be driven, means mounting said hopper on said support for movement relative thereto, belt means connecting said rotary member with said rotary driving means to be driven therefrom, and means tending to impart movement to said hopper relative to said support and in a direction to cause tightening of said belt means.

2. In a dusting machine, a support, a hopper adapted to contain a supply of dust and having a dust feeding opening in a wall thereof, a blower mounted on .said support adjacent said hopper 11 and having an intake opening and a discharge means for discharging a dust and air mixture, means defining an air intake conduit leading to said intake opening, rotary drivingmeans mounted on said support and operably connected with said blower for driving the same, an agitator operable in said hopper to cause feeding of dust through said feeding opening to said intake conduit, trunnion means mounting said hopper on said support so as to be capable of pivotal movement relative thereto, belt means connecting said agitator with said rotary driving means to be driven therefrom, and means tending to impart pivotal movement to said hopper relative to said support and in a direction to cause tightening of said belt means. 3. In a dusting apparatus, a hopper adapted to contain a supply of dust and having an opening in the wall thereof for discharging said dust, a rotary shaft extending into said hopper and adapted to be driven, a disk connected with said shaft and having an annular series of openings therein dividing the periphery of the disk into blade elements adapted to traverse said opening, said blade elements being deflected out of the .plane of the disk, and a ring member carried by the disk and lying in a plane which extends substantially normal to the plane of the disk, said ring member extending through a substantially diametrically opposed pair of said openings.

RALPH R. ROOT.

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